I'm a huge admirer of both these guys. Marciano was my first sporting hero when I was 6 in '69 when his untimely death led me to be told stories of his legendary exploits. Louis for me is likely the GOAT at HW and is up there with my very favourite fighters. That picture is very very sad indeed - almost painful to look at. Louis deserved better. What a tragedy that he had to take a fight such as this for purely financial reasons. What a sad indictment of the financial people around Louis, to let him get to such stage that he had to take this fight.
FH, there is no greater admirer of Joe Louis than I. Yes Louis deserved better, but as Shakespeare said "the fault dear Brutus lies not in the stars, but in thyselves ". Louis made milliins of dollars in the ring but pissed it all away on women,alimony, betting thousands of bucks in the golf course daily, and failing to pay his income tax for years. HE WAS TO BLAME not you or me or society. Harry Wills,when he retired became a landlord and was a health nut. Max Schmeling became wealthy in business after the fall of Hitler. So truly the best HW,and the most beloved fighter of my times, made millions and threw it away sadly...But he died the most loved fighter of modern times....
